That's some interesting stuff. My 40D will automatically allow me to shoot three shots in rapid succession with three different exposure levels. I can set the exposure offset to "1" for example and it will shoot exposure -1.0, 0 and +1.0.

This looks like some cool stuff I will want to check out.

Have to disagree though about the entry camera/lens comments. I started out with a Canon Rebel SLR and took much better photos with the kit lens than is possible with most all-in-one cameras. $400 for a better lens and I will still well under $1000 and taking great pictures. You just can't beat the manual control and ultra high ISO ranges that an SLR affords.

Now if only I could pull the trigger on the 5D MKII I would like to get!

Yeah, I'm saving for a DSLR, possibly a Nikon because I hear they are great in low light with high ISO and little noise.

Just got a D-5000 Nikon...

It doesn't suck.

That's a nice camera. I'm hoping to get a D90 one of these days.

Definitely the much much higher amount of light that even cropped SLRs will allow in gives you tremendously better performance indoors and in low light, even without a flash.

You can also get the ultra deep depth of field that allows you to take portraits that are razor sharp with the background artistically blurred out.

On the other hand they are large and more expensive. My kit has cost me some bucks but I've gotten some great shots I never could have gotten with a pocket camera.

So photography bugs...make with the pictures!

Here's one taken with my Canon 40D and 40-200mm F4.0 lens. It's not a great photo but kind of a fun one.

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Looks great! That bird really draws your focus. Me likey...

Just got back from vacation in San Francisco and I also took some pics from the blizzard we had in DC earlier in the month. Ill post a couple this week although Im still learning the camera so not perfect, yet.

Sorry to necro this thread, but I'm all excited about my new camera.

Just got the Canon T2i. Read through the voluminous manual and have learned what most of the camera does. Pretty new to photography. I got the crappy 18-55mm lens that came with the camera kit. Going to have to get a couple more I suppose.

So a GND filter is a necessary accessory? How about an extended flash?

Personally, I hate using flash at all. I try to do everything with the available light I have. But yeah, a GND filter is a photographers best friend for outdoor landscape shots. Also a good Circ Polarizing filter is good to have. I use Hoya filters and have no complaints.

I have a polarizing filter and a UV filter (UV is basically just a scratch resister?) Does the order I put those on matter?

I'm mainly going to be concerned with getting good outside shots of the 2 year old twins and the wifey. Any suggestions on the optimum lens for this? Would the GND filter help for this kind of thing?

Not sure about the order of filters when using multiples, I only use one at a time. As far as outside shots of the family go, just make sure that the sun is behind you but in front of them. GND filters are better for landscape shots where say the sky is bright and the foreground is darker. The GND help neutralize over and under exposing by making the sky darker and the background lighter, or vice versa.

congrats, i think it's currently best camera in its price range. i would hold off on any accessories before you shoot a lot of pictures with it and learn the basics. if you need to ask whether you need gnd or not, you don't need it, yet : ) peeps who use uv usually do so for lens protection. you can stack polarizer on top but you risk degrading image quality somewhat, depending on how good filters you bought. multiple stacking will also vignette on wide end

if you're serious, first thing you should do is to get rid of kit lens. i recommend everyone to buy body only and pick lens separately, unless deal includes L or 2.8 lens. good fast glass is more important than anything else, even camera itself is secondary!
shooting with kit lenses is like driving porsche on atv tires

you gotta be real careful once you start getting accessories. believe me i fell that hole once.. it never stops, lol

i'd start with a tripod, remote shutter, polarizer, lens cleanser, good camera bag or padded neck strap, ext. flash AND a diffuser, battery grip, extra batteries and couple memory cards. and of course, additional lenses, best you can afford. but only get what you feel real need for, or you'll go bankrupt : )

As Justme said, a good tripod is maybe one of the best things you can buy for a camera. Think long exposures at dusk or pre-dawn...or nighttime sky photography. A tripod literally opens up a whole new world of photo opportunites.


Right now I'm saving up for a Nikon D90 with a good wide angle lens and a telephoto lens. I can't friggin' wait!